Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Greetings from Ghana! Ross and I are adjusting well to Africa with a week left to go. The trip has been amazing! So is the heat...it's been 95 degrees every day. Ladies, I can't tell you what this is doing to my hair! I've already had it done twice by some fantastic Ghanaian women. I was finished in under an hour and it only cost GH$10 (~$8 US dollars)...can I get an AMEN! Anyways, on to the wedding...

On Tuesday, Ross and I had the pleasure of shooting the Traditional Engagement of Emmanuel and Shirley. The engagement is the first of three events we will shoot for this wonderful couple. Here, we witnessed the two families coming together to agree upon the marriage between their children. When I say families, I mean the whole family of both the bride and groom. There were about 40-50 people in the house for the event while another 50 waited outside for the final approval (and the food!).

At the event, a processional with African drums and dancers presented the groom while the bride remained tucked away in the back of the house. The groom's family then offered gifts and money to the bride's family in hopes that they would offer their daughter for marriage. This was such an exciting event full of prayers, singing, well-wishes and an exceptional feast freshly prepared for the day. Check out the tilapia fish in the last image. The entire ceremony was spoken in their native tongue and we could clearly see that both families were truly happy and thankful for the union.

Here are some of the photos. More photos will be published in our upcoming book documenting weddings in Africa as well as around the world. We hope you enjoy!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Its 2 AM here in Ghana but I wanted to sneak you a few photos from the White Tie Wedding Ball and Opera Performance last night. Internationally-acclaimed Broadway soprano, Iris Fairfax, performed along with The National Symphony Orchestra. The newly wedded couple entered the room to the thunderous clap of fireworks outside and danced The Waltz as the symphony played.

I waited for the dancing duo to slide into this "sweet" lighting spot before taking the first photo below. The word that came to mind after I downloaded the pic, "Elegant." Sometimes when shooting you must be really patient and wait for the right composition to appear before releasing the shutter.

I'll have more images up soon but now its time to sleep. Brandi and I have two weddings to shoot tomorrow!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

What a sight to see kids as young as 6 dive into the Atlantic Ocean with nets to catch fish. After the Castle tour we walked near the coastline where local fishers prepared to take boats out into deeper water to find large fish.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Here are more pictures from the slave castle tour that Brandi and I did on Christmas. We learned some really interesting facts and absorbed as much info as we could. The tour started with a viewing of the gallery where we learned about the origins of slavery and the battles during the slave trade. Then we had the opportunity to stand in a piece of a ship. Last we walked through the actual holding areas for slaves before they were shipped to South America, North America and The Caribbean. As I stood with my group in the dark underground rooms lit by only one window my eyes began to fill with tears. History. If you ever come to Ghana this is a must see place. We were almost speechless after the experience.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Today Brandi and I celebrated our first Christmas together as a married couple! We're in Ghana with no family here but our friends have definitely made us feel at home. After breakfast we drove out to the Cape Coast and toured the Slave Castle. It is estimated that over 2 million people from Ghana were sold or forced into slavery. I will admit that this was an incredibly moving experience and I will share many pictures and stories soon. Much more than I can pull together right now. We were working video and still shots to capture as much as we could.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Brandi and I made it to Ghana safely. We're already headed out to shoot! That was a serious 10-hour flight plus the combined (5 hr) flight time and delay in New York. Our first wedding will be culminating with an elaborate White tie ball. There will be close to 1000 attendees! We're looking forward to taking some striking images and will post when we get a chance. Below is one of my favorite ballroom shots that I took last week. I love chandeliers.

Make sure to pick up a copy of the Summer/Spring issue of The Atlantan Brides Magazine. A wedding I shot this Summer (Tim and Yvanka) at the Botanical Gardens is featured! The shoes mentioned in the article (Stuart Weitzman) are pictured below as well as the couple's full view exit image.

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Featured in The Atlantan Brides Magazine!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Under the cover of darkness and with light reflected from the moon I set out on the streets of Anguilla to shoot the wedding of Jelani and Chonita. It was about 5 AM and no one else was on the road except for me. I struggled looking through the foggy Toyota Corolla windshield to find the turn off for the Cap Juluca Resort. For a moment I reverted to driving on the right side of the road but then corrected my course promptly. Once I arrived at the couple's private villa I took a deep breath and then entered the front door praying for a beautiful day and a peaceful mind. I also prayed for Jelani and Chonita who have shown such strength and courage through recent challenges they have shared with me. Certainly, I felt privileged to document this joyous occasion and meet their friends and family.

As the couple dressed and I captured detail shots, the sun rose quickly and illuminated the sky in a miraculous display of light. For a few minutes the rays pierced through the clouds in approval of the day and also cast a shadow onto the neighboring island of St. Marten. I learned that Jelani has an impeccable sense of style and fashion while I was shooting his wardrobe for the day. Not far behind, Chonita carefully selected jewelry to adorn her wrist and then slipped into a flowing wedding dress befitting of the beach ceremony. Both of the wedding bands were truly unique and I discovered they were custom designed by the couple. The orange, yellow, and green flower bouquets provided a strong contrast against the aqua Caribbean Sea and blue Anguilla skies. Conita's bouquet was was fitted with a photo in loving memory of her mother and she also kept her mother's bible close.

The sand at the ceremony site was soft and so was the heart of every guest that watched as Jelani and Chonita exchanged vows. During the final prayer I continually gazed at the rocks adjacent to our location. I just couldn't keep my eyes off of the surging water and foam receding from the jagged points. It finally struck me why and I took the couple there first to shoot right after the announcement of marriage. There is a special message under that photograph (third from the bottom).

Here's a few images from the wedding as a preview to the slideshow that I'll probably finish when I get back from Ghana. Enjoy!

- KNIGHT

Message for Jelani and Chonita: I know that you are facing rough times (the rocks) now. It seems like the pain continues to linger (the foam) despite everything that you have done right. Sometimes even when you do not realize it the stress from others (salt residue) may become part of your own stress and corrode your will to move forward. Always remember to trust in God above all else and then reach out to each other for support. Touch and agree that you both will make it together. Happy days are ahead. You have two beautiful children that are a shinning example of your faith. You are all a complete family now and I wish you the best for your future.